England’s defence of the Twenty20 World Cup title lives on after the holders beat Namibia in a crucial rain-affected match in Antigua.

To stand a chance of reaching the Super Eight, England first had to beat Namibia in their maiden T20 matchup.

Persistent showers almost ruined the chance, but the match eventually started three hours late and was reduced to 11 overs, then 10 overs after another heavy shower.

England batted first and, after a shaky start, rallied to 5-122.

Namibia, given a rain-adjusted target of 126, managed only 3-84, losing by 41 runs.

England did what they had to ahead of the final group game between Australia and Scotland in Group B’s final game in St Lucia.

The holders were anxious for most of the day, thanks to the weather. They had already suffered one washout – their opener against Scotland – and a second would have sent them home.

Now they must hope Australia, in what is a dead-rubber for them, get the better of the fired-up Scots later on Saturday night.

England lost the plot early.

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Only one run was taken from the opening over bowled by 39-year-old David Wiese, before captain Jos Buttler was dismissed for a duck by fast bowler Ruben Trumpelmann in the second.

Wiese returned to nick out the other opener, Phil Salt (11), and England were 2-13 after 13 balls.

Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook counter-attacked, with the former making 31 off 18 balls just before the final rain delay.

Brook finished with an unbeaten 47 off 20, and had late support from Moeen Ali (16 off six) and Liam Livingstone (13 off four), who both contributed to taking 21 runs off the last over.

Namibia’s chase was relatively fast – but not fast enough.

Opener Michael van Lingen, after 33 off 29, was pulled out under the pretence of retiring hurt, and Wiese inserted to up the run rate.

He duly delivered 27 off 12 but it was too late.

India’s match with Canada was abandoned without a ball bowled at the sodden Broward County Stadium in Florida.

While there was light rain on Saturday morning, the outfield was wet from Friday showers which led to a second straight abandoned game at the venue.

The United States-Ireland game on Friday never started, while Pakistan and Ireland are scheduled to play at the ground on Sunday.

Unbeaten India have already qualified for the Super Eight as the Group A winners and will face Afghanistan in the second stage on Thursday in Barbados.